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Salmon tartare and lemon meringue martini during the new happy hour at Grateful Palate in Fort Lauderdale. (Benjamin Rusnak/Courtesy, Benjamin Rusnak/Courtesy / December 8, 2012) |
Mellow Mushroom
700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, 561-653-1351, MellowMushroom.com
Just the wild and wacky decor alone is worth a visit.
This 40-year-old national pizza chain based in Atlanta has debuted its second South Florida branch in the former Kona Grill at CityPlace. And this one is flashy with a winding 200-foot-long comic book-style mural and zany painted mannequins and sculptures. Classic rock punctuates the kaleidoscopic circus.
"Visually we are the flagship of CityPlace. Our patio has a glowing ambience that can be seen from Okeechobee Boulevard, which draws you in," says marketing coordinator Daryl Stone. "The Mellow Mushroom experience is different than any other. Amazing pizza, huge craft beer selection offering 60 drafts, colorful art and a fun, funky staff."
But 16 inventive kinds of pizza is not the only thing served for daily lunch and dinner. Appetizers, such as stuffed portobello ($8.99), calzones, 14 hoagies, salads and gluten-free options (including pizzas) also are featured.
Best-sellers are the Magical Mystery Tour pizza with mushrooms, spinach, jalapenos, feta and mozzarella on a pesto-basted crust ($12.99 to $24.99), a huge house calzone with spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and mozzarella ($11.49) and enlightened spinach salad with dried cherries, apples, candied pecans, feta and balsamic vinaigrette ($5.99 or $8.79).
Local musicians will play classic rock and reggae on the weekends and once or twice during the week, Stone says.
"The outdoor patio will be the spot in CityPlace to lounge and enjoy your favorite cocktail. Artist Patch Whisky's work extends to our patio as well with vibrant colors and a relaxing ambience," Stone says.
First Watch
2335 S. State Road 7, Wellington, 561-795-5500, FirstWatch.com
This 30-year-old national chain based in Bradenton expects to open its fifth South Florida location in the former Dean Anthony's Express in the Plaza at Wellington Green at the end of this month.
The cafe will serve a breakfast/lunch menu 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily amid an open kitchen design maximizing natural light. Perks will be fast service, patio seating, and free newspapers and Wi-Fi access.
"Wellington is a great, family-friendly community and one that we think will be a perfect fit for First Watch," chief marketing officer Chris Tomasso said in a press release. "Southeast Florida has been a tremendous market for us."
The cafe will offer traditional favorites, including pancakes such as banana granola crunch (from $3.69 for one to $5.99 for three), omelets ($8.29 to $8.99), egg skillet hashes ($8.79 to $8.99), salads ($7.89 to $8.29) and sandwiches ($7.59 to $8.99), as well as signatures such as turkey crepeggs, a sweet crepe combined with fluffy whipped eggs ($8.29 to $8.99) and the chickichanga, a tortilla filled with eggs, spicy chicken, chorizo, chilies, cheese, onions and avocado with Vera Cruz sauce and fresh fruit ($8.99).
The Healthier Side section highlights nine items, such as fresh fruit crepes topped with strawberry yogurt ($7.59) and the sun-dried tomato-basil power wrap with egg whites, turkey, spinach, mushrooms and Swiss with salsa ($7.99).
D'Angelo Pizza, Wine Bar, Tapas
1370 Weston Road, Weston, 954-306-0037, DangeloPizza.com
Angelo Elia, whose Italian culinary empire evolved from the fine-dining Casa D'Angelo in Fort Lauderdale, has introduced his sixth restaurant in the Country Isles Plaza — his second Tuscan offshoot.
"I first started D'Angelo Pizza, Wine Bar, Tapas in Oakland Park to give people a place where they could get the same great ingredients I use at Casa D'Angelo, but in a more informal, relaxed setting without compromising quality," Elia said in a press release. "I am thrilled to bring the concept to Weston."
